#116 - Kyle Thompson // Titanic Courage: Playing Hymns Until the End

Summary

Summary of Episode #116 - Kyle Thompson // "Titanic Courage: Playing Hymns Until the End"

Podcast: The Daily Blade
Hosts: Pastor Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction: Equipping for Spiritual Warfare

In this episode of The Daily Blade, co-hosts Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into inspiring tales of courage and faith, drawing parallels between historical events and biblical narratives to equip Christians for their daily spiritual battles.

The Story of Wallace Hartley and the Titanic

Kyle Thompson opens the discussion by recounting the heroic actions of Wallace Hartley and his band during the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. As the ship collided with an iceberg at 11:40 PM, Hartley, a devout violinist, led his eight-man band in playing music to calm and soothe the panicked passengers amidst the chaos.

“Hartley and his band had to keep moving around the ship throughout this entire process, but they kept playing music to soothe the passengers and try to maintain some semblance of order” ([Kyle Thompson] at 02:45).

Despite the dire circumstances and the ship tilting perilously, the band refused to cease their performance. Witnesses reported that they continued playing for over two hours, right up until the final moments before the Titanic sank. Tragically, all eight musicians perished that night, with Hartley found still clutching his violin case in his uniform. Notably, their last hymn was believed to be "Nearer My God to Thee," a poignant reflection of their unwavering faith.

Biblical Parallel: Paul and Silas in Acts 16

Kyle transitions to a biblical parallel by examining the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. Similar to Hartley and his band, Paul and Silas found themselves in the midst of darkness and oppression. After being unjustly beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel, they chose to sing hymns to God even in their bleak circumstances.

“Paul and Silas are in prison. They were beaten for preaching Christ. It's the middle of the night. It's completely dark. They're bloody. They're chained up, and what do they do? They sang praise to God” ([Kyle Thompson] at 04:30).

Their song of worship amidst their suffering led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them from their bonds and resulted in the conversion and baptism of the prisoner's jailer and his family. This act of faith under extreme pressure mirrors the steadfastness displayed by Hartley and his band.

Insights and Conclusions: Faith in the Midst of Darkness

Kyle draws a powerful conclusion, emphasizing that true courage and faith shine brightest in moments of darkness and despair. Both Hartley’s musical bravery and Paul and Silas’s unwavering worship serve as testaments to the enduring power of faith.

“You don't have to escape the darkness to worship in it. You don't have to be delivered before you declare the truth. And you certainly don't need a pulpit. You just need conviction and courage and a willingness to sing when others are screaming” ([Kyle Thompson] at 05:50).

He encourages listeners to embody this courage, advocating for a faith that remains strong and expressive even when faced with overwhelming circumstances. The final verses of "Nearer My God to Thee" are highlighted to underscore the theme of seeking God’s presence amidst trials.

Final Exhortation: Be Men Who Sing in the Dark

The episode concludes with a heartfelt plea for listeners to adopt the example set by Hartley, Paul, and Silas. Kyle urges men to be beacons of hope and faith, singing and living out their convictions even when surrounded by chaos and fear.

“Let's be men that point to him being Christ. Let's be men who sing in the dark” ([Kyle Thompson] at 06:00).

He underscores the importance of maintaining one's faith and using it as a guiding light for others, reinforcing the episode’s central message of unwavering courage and devotion.

Notable Quotes

• Kyle Thompson (02:45): “Hartley and his band had to keep moving around the ship throughout this entire process, but they kept playing music to soothe the passengers and try to maintain some semblance of order.”

• Kyle Thompson (04:30): “Paul and Silas are in prison. They were beaten for preaching Christ. It's the middle of the night. It's completely dark. They're bloody. They're chained up, and what do they do? They sang praise to God.”

• Kyle Thompson (05:50): “You don't have to escape the darkness to worship in it. You don't have to be delivered before you declare the truth. And you certainly don't need a pulpit. You just need conviction and courage and a willingness to sing when others are screaming.”

• Kyle Thompson (06:00): “Let's be men that point to him being Christ. Let's be men who sing in the dark.”

Conclusion

Episode #116 of The Daily Blade masterfully intertwines the heroic actions of Wallace Hartley and his band with the biblical account of Paul and Silas, delivering a compelling message about faith and courage in the face of adversity. Through engaging storytelling and insightful reflections, Kyle Thompson encourages listeners to embody steadfast faith, using their convictions as a source of strength and inspiration for others.

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For more insightful episodes and to support The Church of Eleven22's mission, consider donating at coe22.com/donate. Don't miss the opportunity to join Pastor Joby & Kyle in person at the 2025 Men's Conference in Jacksonville, Florida—secure your seat at mensconference.com.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

[B]

This week we are getting into real life stories of courage and sacrifice from the tragic shipwreck and sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15th of 1912, and how they align with occurrences from God's word. So today, going to look at the story of Wallace Hartley and his band. So Hartley, who was a violinist, was the leader of an eight man band that was hired to play aboard the Titanic and entertain the passengers during her voyage to America. So after the Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40pm on April 14, 1912, it quickly became apparent that the unsinkable ship would actually, indeed sink. So Hartley gathered the men of his band and led them to play music in hopes that it would, you know, keep people calm during the process of evacuation, you know, kind of soothe things over a little bit. Harley and that band had to keep moving around the ship, you know, throughout this entire process, but they kept playing music to sue the passengers and to try to maintain some semblance of order. So even when the ship began to tilt right as it was sinking, the band refused to stop playing music. The last place that they played was actually on the boat deck. So survivors of the shipwreck reported that the band continued to play. Get this. Even when the water got up to their ankles, they didn't stop. So reports suggest that the band played for over two hours, beginning shortly after midnight and concluding literally moments before the ship sank at 2:20am so all eight of these men, Hartley included, died that night. All their bodies were recovered. When they actually found Hartley's body on March 15th of 1912, he was still in his uniform, still clutching his violin case. So reports are a little conflicting on this, but many witnesses said that the final song that these brave men played was the hymn Near My God to Thee. Harley was a devout Christian, and in kind of a macabre turn of irony, there are reports that he had once remarked to a friend, if I were on a sinking ship, I'd play Nearer My God to Thee. So this actually reminded me of historical currents described in the Book of Acts. And in both cases here, darkness, chaos and death loomed. But instead of panic, there was worship, there was dignity and hope in the form of a song. So let's actually go to Acts 16. So in Acts 16 we see that Paul and Silas are doing what they normally do, which is stirring up trouble for the sake of the gospel of Jesus. So that's pretty awesome if you ask me. But not everyone is a fan of that. Some men sees them take them to the local magistrates, and they claim that they're, you know, disrupting the city. And so let's actually pick up the story. In Acts 16, verse 22, the crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried in a loud voice, do not harm yourself, for we are all here. And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And they took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. And he was baptized at once, he and his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced, along with his entire household, that he had believed in God. So here's the thing. Paul and Silas are in prison. They were beaten for preaching Christ. It's the middle of the night. It's completely dark. They're bloody. They're chained up, and what do they do? They sang praise to God. There was no promise of escape, right? There was no illusions of forthcoming comfort. There was just darkness. And they cut through the darkness with a song. Wallace Hartley and his band were Paul and Silas of the North Atlantic. They weren't preachers, but they did preach with music. They didn't directly quote scripture, but they sang truth over the terror. They didn't lead a jailer to Christ, but they led hundreds to peace in their final moments. And here's what you need to hear today, men. You don't have to escape the darkness to worship in it. Can I get an Amen? You don't have to escape the darkness to worship in it. You don't have to be delivered before you declare the truth. And you certainly don't need a pulpit. You just need conviction and courage and a willingness to sing when others are screaming. So Harley and his men went down with their instruments in hand. Their courage wasn't loud, but it was steady. It was composed. It was tuned to eternity. Now the second verse of Nearer My God to Thee reads like this. Though like the wanderer the sun gone down Darkness be over me My rest a stone yet in my dreams I'd be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God to thee Nearer to Thee. When these men played this hymn as they were about to go down with the ship, it was a declaration, a final testimony, a hymn played over the dead and the dying. But there is hope in Christ. Hartley certainly knew that. Let's be men that point to him him being Christ. Let's be men who sing in the dark.

[A]

Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight. Share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.